In Arden, a fair packed with free spirit

Above: One of the informal nighttime jam sessions that took place at homes across town following the Arden Fair this weekend. (Photo: Joe Del Tufo)

For some, Saturday’s Arden Fair was their annual taste of what life is like in Arden, Delaware’s own little utopian community where arts, music and good vibes have been colliding ever since it was founded in 1900.

Before moving to the tiny village of Arden a few months ago — joining the estimated 1,100 who live in the Ardens, which includes Arden, Ardentown and Ardencroft — musician James Dukenfield, 28, had attended the Arden Fair twice, getting an up-close view of what the free-spirited community was all about.

This time at the fair, Dukenfield was on stage, sitting in with Arden native Kalai King and his band, the Fractured Hearts, playing banjo and mandolin throughout the hour-long set of Americana. And once the fair ended, both Dukenfield and King had their own informal gatherings at their Arden homes with friends and family gathering for plenty of late-night music and, quite possibly, a few beers.

No matter the evening, whether it’s the night of Arden Fair or just a random Saturday, small, homegrown nighttime hangouts tend to sprout across this artistic hamlet as artists, musicians and free-spirits join for some fun.

“We hang out with fires going and there’s plenty of jamming,” Dukenfield said of his nights in his new hometown, which is put on display on the Saturday of every Labor Day weekend for the fair. “The general attitude here … is the same as mine: let it be. The community is very tight. “

It’s that tolerant, nature-loving attitude that has dominated the fair for 103 years.

According to Arden Fair chairwoman Sima Krusheski, an estimated 9,000 people from across the region descended on Arden on Saturday, doubling the town’s population several times over for an afternoon of celebration.

Along with the live music, the arts, crafts, food and drink gave the crowds an option to what is a traditional beach weekend for many. The smell of kettle corn cooking wafted through the air as wizards entertained children and adults drank from pitchers of Yuengling, catching up with family and friends. Both young and old ate well, buying everything from bratwurst and barbecued hot dogs to funnel cakes and large cups of flavored shaved ice.

“Today is as good as we could have hoped for,” Krusheski said. “The weather has just been fabulous.”

Halfway through his set as a breeze blew through Arden’s Shady Grove area under a canopy of tall trees, King put into words what was on many people’s minds: “We want to thank Earl for going somewhere else.”

Hurricane Earl had threatened Friday’s scheduled set-up for the fair, but the storm weakened and remained off the coast. It left behind only blue skies and cooling winds for what is the largest annual fundraiser for the Arden Club, the nonprofit organization that hosts all sorts of artists throughout the year, whether it’s performances of Shakespeare or concerts by national rock and folk acts.

For some, it’s simply a chance to catch up with old friends they might see only on this one weekend each year. For others, it’s the site of annual family get-togethers.

“There are little family reunions all over,” said George Brocklesby, Gild Hall caretaker, as he pointed out clusters of tables where families had gathered. The fair coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Gild Hall, where many of Arden Club’s shows are held.

One of the groups having a reunion included Jody Anderson, who lives in Arden and is a former co-owner of the Candlelight Theatre in Ardentown. Just like every Labor Day weekend, Anderson joins up with past and current members of the Candlelight. About 40 friends were in her group, as well as her 3-year-old daughter Julia, who attended her first fair when she was 3 months old.

For Anderson, this isn’t a weekend devoted to Labor Day, which became a national holiday in 1894, 13 years before the first Arden Fair. “Arden Fair is the holiday,” she said.

Families looking for fun weren’t the only folks at the fair this year. With Delaware’s primaries a little more than a week away and the general election on Nov. 2, there were several candidates looking for votes.

New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate, worked the line for the shuttle buses all afternoon and Republican Councilman Robert Weiner, who faces re-election on Nov. 2, was in the Shady Grove talking to voters as bands like Montana Wildaxe and the Rory Sullivan Band played for the crowd.

Just like the army of about 500 volunteers needed to pull off the event, all of the musical acts donated their time for the cause.

Sharon Maley, who has been attending the fair for 40 years, couldn’t help but spend $1 for a balloon, buying it from Burley Melton of Arden, who was dressed in a Robin Hood costume.

“He was just too cute. I just had to get a picture with him,” a smiling Maley said before reminiscing on her years at the fair. “My daughters have been coming here since they were infants. It’s like going back to my roots.”

About Ryan Cormier

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